been in a secret conspiracy with aliens.
She leaned back in her seat. What no one knew was her real reason for being in San Francisco.
She’d gotten information that the same jewelry gang—known to Interpol as the Black Fox gang—responsible for stealing Victoria’s jewelry and raping her was planning to target the exhibition.
Or more specifically, they were planning to steal the Sapphire Wave Tiara. A long-lost tiara that had recently resurfaced, and had once belonged to the Romanovs of Russia. Sofie would be wearing it to the gala.
She tapped her nails on the armrests.
They wouldn’t get the tiara. She planned to stop them.
Along with some help from the international jewel thief known as Robin Hood.
She smiled.
So, she’d do her royal duties, and when required, slip out from under the watchful eye of Rome Nash to get her real objective achieved.
The jet landed. Sofie pulled out a mirror and checked that her strawberry-blonde hair was tucked neatly into its French roll. She freshened her makeup, running some pink gloss across her lips. She flew so much that she knew all the tricks for looking fresh, even after a long flight.
Outside the window, she saw a crowd waiting for the plane. There were people with cameras, others holding flowers and signs.
Welcome to San Francisco, Princess Sofia.
There were also some giant, black SUVs, along with a long, black limo, and several men in suits. Rome would be there, somewhere.
A tiny tingle ran through her.
Stop it, Sofie.
The jet pulled to a stop. She rose and nodded at her father’s security men.
“I’ll see you back in Caldova.”
They nodded. “Your Highness.”
Sofia pulled her coat around her and fastened it. She pasted on her “princess” smile.
She heard the thud of heavy footsteps up the jet’s stairs, and her belly contracted.
A man stepped into the jet.
Her heart stopped.
It seemed like he took up all the space.
Suddenly, the jet was gone, the guards were gone, the crowd outside was gone.
There was only him.
Rome wore a dark suit and he wore it well. It fitted him so that she could see the muscles in those strong thighs. She licked her lips and tasted her gloss. His white shirt strained over his chest.
He lifted his head and those gorgeous, pale-green eyes focused on her. She already knew that he was a man who missed nothing, not the smallest detail. He’d know how many people were in the crowd outside, all the vehicle registrations, and the quickest routes out of the airport.
“Princess Sofia.” His voice was a deep rumble that she felt along every nerve, before sensation curled low in her belly.
The air rushed back into her lungs.
“Mr. Nash, a pleasure to see you again.” She slung her sleek bag with her laptop in it over her shoulder, not quite meeting his gaze. She kept her tone cool and professional. “Thank you for your assistance on my trip.” She stepped closer, willing him to move.
“I wanted—”
“I’m sure we can discuss security issues once we get to where I’m staying.” She shot him a cool, polite smile.
See, totally unaffected by you, and ignoring the fact that I threw myself at you and you didn’t respond.
Her gaze met his for a second, and she forgot how to breathe.
Rome had a sense of strength. He was sure of himself, rock-solid. And he was devastating to a woman’s senses.
She managed to shove past him and step into the sunshine.
Thank goodness. She could breathe again. The sun was shining, but the air was cool, and she was glad for her matching blue coat over her blue sheath dress.
Lifting a hand, she waved. She heard shouts and cheers from the crowd as she descended the steps.
She was careful to hold the railing. It paid to avoid the chance of an embarrassing tumble down the stairs.
Sofie had had more than enough self-induced embarrassment for one day.
Rome Nash followed Princess Sofia of Caldova off the jet.
She stopped halfway down the steps, waving regally to the crowd.
She was doing a damn good job of pretending he didn’t exist.
He ground his teeth together. She was beautiful, but he’d already known that. Her creamy, golden skin glowed, and her brown eyes glittered with an inner light. The sunshine lit her hair, turning it a unique shade of pink-gold.
She had perfect bone structure. She was elegant and refined, except for the fact that she had full lips that looked like they were made for sin. She wore a blue dress and coat that outlined a slender frame that had just the right amount of gentle